On Monday, October 24th, Southwest Florida was ravaged by Hurricane Wilma, a category 3 storm, with winds of 125 miles per hour. While damage to the area was significant, we are pleased to announce that we still have a beach, we still have the learning center, and though the gardens may need to be replanted, on the very next day after the storm, people were already returning to the site to enjoy some relaxation time in the sun, and several hearty critters were observed, all of whom seemed to have miraculously survived the storm. We have included some photos below, just for your perusing. We'll be back at the beach this season as previously scheduled, and we're sure there will be as many visitors enjoying our beach and preserve as there ever have been...
(Click on Pictures Below to View Larger Images)
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| The butterfly garden took quite a beating, but with time and effort from our members, it will be beautiful once again. | ||
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| The beach was already being enjoyed by those who wanted to escape the realities of damage elsewhere. | ||
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| Plants along the beach covered with a layer of sand blown about by Wilma seemed almost "sugar coated" | ||
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| A few wildflowers still bloomed brightly amidst the sand and windswept dunes | ||
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| The boardwalks held up well to Wilma's fury, providing normal access to the wide expanses of beach | ||
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| Unfortunately, the ospreys' nests were completely blown away, leaving only the stand. On the right a lone osprey sits perched on a branch after the storm, singing a song that sounded ever so sad. It might be said that he is truly an "empty nester." | ||
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| The Martin house, though tilted a bit, stood up against the storm with little or no visible damage | Bill & Marilyn Neuder survey damages to the cactus garden after the storm | |
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| Overall the Visitors' Center held up well. The roof is intact, the displays still together, and the "Welcome Visitors" sign already making folks feel at home in Barefoot Beach Preserve | ||
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| We will all be busy replanting the gardens, but all is not lost. | ||
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| Notice the survivors, signs of hope that things will be back to normal soon. On the left, a butterfly lights on a plant still blooming with bright yellow blossoms. In the center, a raccoon comes out to survey the damage, and on the right, a gopher tortoise takes a brisk walk along the park's edge. | ||
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| Damage to the areas surrounding Barefoot Beach Preserve makes one wonder just how anyone survived Wilma's wrath. On the left, windows with storm shutters in place were literally blown out, in the center, a bent wrought iron railing on a homefront along Barefoot Beach Blvd, and on the right, major damage to the pool cage which was no match to the power of Wilma, as she visited on a recent Monday morning... While Wilma did cause some significant damage, it certainly could have been much worse! All in all, we were blessed!!! | ||
Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve
Copyright © 2005 by [Friends of Barefoot Beach]. All rights reserved.
Revised:
26 Nov 2008 16:56:47 -0500
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Our registration number as a not for profit organization with the Florida Department of Ag and Consumer Affairs is CH26540. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM
THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
This website created and maintained by Marti Timple, ~ Email: MTimple@FOBBP.org